Synthesized loneliness (Music Finds #34)

“Music Finds” is a series with new posts here on the blog each Wednesday. The concept is as follows:As I listen to a lot of music, I from time to time finds a piece that sticks out, sometimes because it’s quirky, mixed two very unlikely genres, unlikely instruments, or just damn right having an awesome sound. Expect any kind of genre to appear here. These songs is what I will be sharing with you in these posts called “Music Finds”
But really it’s mostly a segment about some of my most played songs!”

Welcome back to the best source of new music for your ears!

Today I’m going to show one synth-classic, a related song, to finally top it of with one of my latest Korean finds. Let’s go!
Lately I’ve been more and more intriqued by the works of synth musician and the workings of modular synths, so it felt natural to re-visit one of my old favorites, which is “Rydeen” by the Japanese group YMO – or Yellow Magic Orchestra. This first tune is one excellent example of team work creating great synthesized music together with live instruments as guitars and drums.Yellow Magic Orchestra – Rydeen

Notice the girl in the corner? That’s Akiko Yano, then also Ms. Sakamoto. Here’s one of her solo works:

Another of her solo works, going back to her roots as a pianist:

Finally the Korean song I mentioned in the intro, it’s a bit of the slow jam. I find it quite nice!

Hyolyn – Lonely

What did you think about this weeks finds? Tell me in the comments!
To discover more new music, check out the archive below:

First, I’m sorry this comment is so late even though I really wanted to write it. You have the most interesting ability to remind me of those happier pasts. YMO, well it’s been ages. Great to hear them again! I must admit they had fallen into forgetfulness but there you go. Probably due to me not remembering the band name and only the songs as I tend to do. It’s now reawakened! To be frank you have returned many of the things I didn’t even know had gone lost. It’s the weirdest, but greatest thing!

I have so not danced to this song. I so have! Well, in a small town the alternative styles kind of came together, at least in the 90’s to early 00’s, my brother who still lives in that town says it’s not the same now but some of the spirit lives on. You’ve not been to a party if you haven’t at least tried to dance to synth music with an industrial, a punk, two goths, a brit pop lover and a rather grumpy Satanist. Only the synth people thought we were barking mad. As they tended to do. None did however sport such shirts as YMO themselves. Clothes-wise we were more inspired by the 70’s. Now it sounds like I did that often. Not really… I lived pretty far away from my funny friends in another neck of the woods, literally. Admittedly I was too focused on the future to really be a party person. But I did make it to some of the better ones. I miss that very mixed-up crowd at times. I think I learnt a lot from those different views, ages and backgrounds. There were however raves in my neck of the woods but drugs were a bit too common there for my liking. Addiction is way too scary for me, besides I get high on sugar. Also someone had to get up at weekends to walk the dogs, not just let them out into the yard and feed the little kid (my youngest brother) that always got up at 6AM. Often I hadn’t really slept yet, I sneaked him a sandwich and made sure he had something fun to watch before sleeping for a few hours. Such anecdotes, I feel very much like a writer when one thing takes me somewhere else entirely.

Needless to write perhaps but I’ll write it anyway, synth music still shimmer in my mind.

Akiko Yano

I had however not heard Akiko Yano’s solo works before. I really love it! I had no idea they had been married, but husband and wife collaborations are life goals. It’s nice when lovers work together like that on projects, but more importantly push each other’s endeavours whatever they might be. I always viewed it as strength to have that special someone when doing your own projects. It’s a comfort especially if they also do their own thing. Then they understand the hard days as well as the success. And to have someone believe in you will make you dare to go out there and do what you always wanted to. And do it better with their love.

Tadaima has this brilliant homey sound of old phones calling. Calling you to somewhere. Perhaps that is the synthesized loneliness, being called away by something. It’s quite interesting; I like how playful the music is in contrast with her voice. I would call it very 80’s and I cannot but like that. I find myself feeling a lot younger. I always liked when you mix in the sound of something familiar and everyday like. I’d so mix in the sound of smartphones or keyboards or the sound of game consoles today. When you think about it, today is overflowing with sounds. Like ticking clocks weren’t hypnotising already. I always fear they will stop. I don’t know. Sure, that the heart will stop with the clock horror connection is one of my favourite scares, but more than that, I think I’m scared of it breaking. Probably a childhood mare that never went away and now I kind of like that horror. Anyway this song is super sweet synth-sounding 80’s come homey music. Totally yes to that!

Her piano piece also sounds very homey. And I have to say she looks very charming in that video. She’s got a very light but calming voice. I get such confidence from her and I like it. Also it makes me very hungry, for it feels like a sit down with the family to eat great food and have fun kind of a tune. Very relaxed without being boring or background just very sweetly like a great cup of tea.

Hyolyn – Lonely

It’s so pretty!! Slow and comforting. I’m sorry I didn’t comment on that earlier. You think a song about lonely will be only sad but I find it to be sad and comforting and optimistic. Lovely contrasts performed by another calming voice. It’s splendid. I kind of recognise that way of being, even the brick walls and bridge seems familiar. I’ve not been in Shoreditch/Bethnal Green that much, but close by is Old Street (very old beautiful graveyard) and Aldgate and Whitechapel (Ripper hangout basically) which are of great interests to me. The video just catches all that feeling very well indeed.

I could probably talk synthesized music for a while yet, since it’s my party music for party people but I’ll save some for later. I’m sure that x-mas will make me dig out some good ol’ TFL. achtung! ^^

[…] first found her works by this cover of Rydeen by YMO (a band I’ve previously mentioned in episode #34 “Synthesized loneliness”) that’s performed skillfully. I have a soft spot for seeing versions where one person plays […]